Camera with wireless power transmitter

ABSTRACT

A camera device includes a camera module that captures a scene corresponding to a field of view of the camera module. A wireless power transmitter of the camera devices transmits wireless power to a battery-powered external sensing device. A transceiver is further operable for receiving from the external sensing device sensed data. A network module transmits the image and sensed data to an external networked device. A power supply receives power over a wired connection and supplies power to the camera module, transceiver, networking module and wireless transmitter. The external sensing device may be an access control device that includes a sensor for sensing the presence of a machine readable toke and reading an identifier of the physical token. The access control device further includes a lock controller for selectively locking and unlocking a physical lock.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/178,472, entitled “Camera With Wireless Power Transmitter” and filedJun. 9, 2016, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by referenceherein.

FIELD

The present subject-matter relates to a camera and a system integratingthe camera, and more particularly to a camera with a wireless powertransmitter for powering an external sensing device.

BACKGROUND

A camera may be used to acquire information about a place or an object.The information is visual image data generated by the cameracorresponding to the scene falling within the field of view of thecamera.

A sensing device may be used to acquire other information about a placeor an object. Such information may be conditions sensed by the sensingdevice, such as one or more environmental conditions surrounding thesensing device.

An access control device is a specific type of sensing device thatsenses whether an identifying token has been presented to the accesscontrol device and whether that token is authenticated.

In some situations, the camera and/or the sensing device may beconnected to a data network so that image data and/or sensing data maybe received by other devices connected to the network.

SUMMARY

The embodiments described herein provide in one aspect a combined videosurveillance and access control system comprising an access controldevice and a camera device. The access control device includes a lockcontroller for selectively controlling actuation of a physical lockbetween a locked state and an unlocked state, a sensor operable forsensing an occurrence of a presence of a machine readable physical tokenand for reading an identifier of the physical token, a transceiver forwirelessly transmitting access data generated based on the presence ofthe physical token and the identifier read by the sensor, at least onebattery for supplying power to the lock controller, the sensor and thetransceiver, and a wireless power receiver operable for receivingwirelessly transmitted power and to charge the at least one batteryusing the received power. The camera device includes at least one cameramodule operable for capturing a scene corresponding to a field of viewof the camera and for generating image data of the captured scene, atransceiver operable for receiving the access data transmitted from thebattery-powered physical access control device, a networking moduleoperable for transmitting the image data and access data to an externalnetworked device, a wireless power transmitter operable for transmittingpower wirelessly to the wireless power receiver of the access controldevice, and at least one power supply operable for receiving power overa wired connection and supplying power to the camera, the transceiver,the network module and the wireless power transmitter.

The embodiments described herein provide in another aspect a cameradevice. The camera device includes at least one camera module operablefor capturing a scene corresponding to a field of view of the cameramodule and for generating image data of the captured scene, at least onewireless power transmitter operable for transmitting wireless power to abattery-powered external sensing device, a transceiver operable forreceiving from the external sensing device sensed data pertaining to atleast one condition sensed by the external sensing device, a networkingmodule operable for transmitting the image data and data pertaining tothe at least one sensed condition to an external networked device, andat least one power supply operable for receiving power over a wiredconnection and supplying power to the camera module, the transceiver,the networking module and the wireless power transmitter.

According to some example embodiments, the access control device furthercomprises a lock actuator being controlled by the lock controller, saidactuator being powered by the at least one battery and being operablefor selectively actuating the physical lock between the locked state andthe unlocked state.

According to some example embodiments, the networking module transmitsthe image data and the access data to the external networked device overthe wired connection.

According to some example embodiments, the external networked devicecomprises an access control management system and wherein the accesscontrol device is in communication with the control management systemonly via the camera device.

According to some example embodiments, the access control device is freeof a wired network connection with another network device.

According to some example embodiments, image data generated at a giventime is logically associated to the access data generated at the sametime by the access control device when transmitting the image data andthe access data to the external networked device.

According to some example embodiments, the camera device furthercomprises a video analytics module operable for performing videoanalytics on the image data and determining an occurrence of a videoanalytics event based on a combination of one or more results of theperformed video analytics and access data received from the accesscontrol device.

According to some example embodiments, the transceiver of the cameradevice is further operable for receiving information pertaining to abattery status of the at least one battery of the access control deviceand the wireless power transmitter is operable for adjusting thetransmission of wireless power to the access control device based on thereceived information pertaining to the battery status.

According to some example embodiments, an effective powered space of thewireless power transmitter of the camera device substantially overlapswith the field of view of the camera module.

According to some example embodiments, the camera module is pivotableand wherein the wireless power transmitter pivots with the camera moduleto maintain overlap of the power coverage cone with the field of view.

According to some example embodiments, an asset to which access is beingcontrolled by the access control device is viewable within the field ofview of the camera module.

According to some example embodiments, the camera device comprises aplurality of wireless power transmitters, with each transmitter beingoperable for directionally transmitting wireless power. According tosome example embodiments, at least one of the plurality of wirelesspower transmitters is pivotable to change the space occupied by itspower coverage cone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description refers to the following figures, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a camera device according to anexample embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a combined system according to anexample embodiment having an example camera device and an examplesensing device;

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a combined video surveillance andaccess control system according to one example embodiment having anexample camera device and an example access control device;

FIG. 4A illustrates a block diagram of a camera device according to analternative example embodiment;

FIG. 4B illustrates a block diagram of a schematic diagram of an exampledeployment of the alternative camera device according to one exampleembodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of connected devices of a combinedvideo surveillance and access control system according to one exampleembodiment; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic diagram of an example deployment of acamera device and access control device.

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale.For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements for clarity. Furthermore, where consideredappropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures toindicate corresponding or analogous elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

Numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the exemplary embodiments described herein. However, itwill be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that theembodiments described herein may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures andcomponents have not been described in detail so as not to obscure theembodiments described herein. Furthermore, this description is not to beconsidered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein inany way but rather as merely describing the implementation of thevarious embodiments described herein.

“Battery” herein refers to not only a device in which chemical energy isconverted into electricity and used as a source of power, it also refersto any alternatively suitable energy storage devices such as, forexample, a capacitor of suitable size and construction.

“Image data” herein refers to data produced by a camera device and thatrepresents images captured by the camera device. The image data mayinclude a plurality of sequential image frames, which together form avideo captured by the camera device. Each image frame may be representedby a matrix of pixels, each pixel having a pixel image value. Forexample, the pixel image value may be a numerical value on grayscale(ex; 0 to 255) or a plurality of numerical values for colored images.Examples of color spaces used to represent pixel image values in imagedata include RGB, YUV, CYKM, YCbCr 4:2:2, YCbCr 4:2:0 images. It will beunderstood that “image data” as used herein can refer to “raw” imagedata produced by the camera device and/or to image data that hasundergone some form of processing. It will be further understood that“image data” may refer to image data representing captured visible lightin some examples and may refer to image data representing captured depthinformation and/or thermal information in other examples.

“Processing image data” or variants thereof herein refers to one or morecomputer-implemented functions performed on image data. For example,processing image data may include, but is not limited to, imageprocessing operations, analyzing, managing, compressing, encoding,storing, transmitting and/or playing back the video data. Analyzing theimage data may include segmenting areas of image frames and detectingobjects, tracking and/or classifying objects located within the capturedscene represented by the image data. The processing of the image datamay cause modified image data to be produced, such as compressed (ex:lowered quality) and/or re-encoded image data. The processing of theimage data may also cause additional information regarding the imagedata or objects captured within the images to be output. For example,such additional information is commonly understood as metadata. Themetadata may also be used for further processing of the image data, suchas drawing bounding boxes around detected objects in the image frames.

Referring now to FIG. 1, therein illustrated is a block diagram of acamera device 10 according to an example embodiment. The camera device10 is illustrated according its operational modules. An operationalmodule of the camera device 10 may be a hardware component. Anoperational module may also be implemented in hardware, software orcombination of both.

The camera device 10 includes one or more processors, one or more memorydevices coupled to the processors and one or more network interfaces.The memory device can include a local memory (e.g. a random accessmemory and a cache memory) employed during execution of programinstructions. The processor executes computer program instructions(e.g., an operating system and/or application programs), which can bestored in the memory device.

In various embodiments the processor may be implemented by anyprocessing circuit having one or more circuit units, including a digitalsignal processor (DSP), graphics processing unit (GPU) embeddedprocessor, etc., and any combination thereof operating independently orin parallel, including possibly operating redundantly. Such processingcircuit may be implemented by one or more integrated circuits (IC),including being implemented by a monolithic integrated circuit (MIC), anApplication Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field ProgrammableGate Array (FPGA), etc. or any combination thereof. Additionally oralternatively, such processing circuit may be implemented as aprogrammable logic controller (PLC), for example. The processor mayinclude circuitry for storing memory, such as digital data, and maycomprise the memory circuit or be in wired communication with the memorycircuit, for example.

In various example embodiments, the memory device coupled to theprocessor circuit is operable to store data and computer programinstructions. Typically, the memory device is all or part of a digitalelectronic integrated circuit or formed from a plurality of digitalelectronic integrated circuits. The memory device may be implemented asRead-Only Memory (ROM), Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), ErasableProgrammable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), Electrically ErasableProgrammable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), flash memory, one or more flashdrives, universal serial bus (USB) connected memory units, magneticstorage, optical storage, magneto-optical storage, etc. or anycombination thereof, for example. The memory device may be operable tostore memory as volatile memory, non-volatile memory, dynamic memory,etc. or any combination thereof.

In various example embodiments, a plurality of the components of theimage capture device may be implemented together within a system on achip (SOC). For example, the processor, the memory device and thenetwork interface may be implemented within a SOC. Furthermore, whenimplemented in this way, both a general purpose processor and DSP may beimplemented together within the SOC.

The camera device 10 includes at least one camera module 16 (forconvenience of illustration only one is shown in the illustrated exampleembodiment) that is operable to capture a plurality of images andproduce image data representing the plurality of captured images. Thecamera module 16 generally refers to the combination of hardware andsoftware sub-modules that operate together to capture the plurality ofimages of a scene. Such sub-modules may include an optical unit (e.g.camera lens) and an image sensor. In the case of a digital cameramodule, the image sensor may be a CMOS, NMOS, or CCD type image sensor.

The lens and sensor combination defines a field of view. When positionedat a given location and according to a given orientation, the cameramodule 16 is operable to capture the real-life scene falling within thefield of view of the camera and to generate image data of the capturedscene.

The camera module 16 may perform some processing of captured raw imagedata, such as compressing or encoding the raw image data.

The camera device 10 may optionally include a video analytics module 24.The video analytics module 24 receives image data from the camera module16 and analyzes the image data to determine properties orcharacteristics of the captured image or video and/or of objects foundin a scene represented by the image or video. Based on thedeterminations made, the video analytics module 24 may further outputmetadata providing information about the determinations. Examples ofdeterminations made by the video analytics module 24 may include one ormore of foreground/background segmentation, object detection, objecttracking, object classification, virtual tripwire, anomaly detection,facial detection, facial recognition, license plate recognition,identifying objects “left behind”, monitoring objects (i.e. to protectfrom stealing), and business intelligence. However, it will beunderstood that other video analytics functions known in the art mayalso be implemented by the video analytics module 24.

The camera device 10 may optionally include a video management module32. The video management module 32 receives image data and performsprocessing functions on the image data related to video transmission,playback and/or storage. For example, the video management module 32 canprocess the image data to permit transmission of the image dataaccording to bandwidth requirements and/or capacity. The videomanagement module 32 may also process the image data according toplayback capabilities of a client device that will be playing back thevideo, such as processing power and/or resolution of the display of theclient device. The video management 32 may also process the image dataaccording to storage capacity in the camera device 10 or in otherdevices connected to the camera device 10 over a network.

The camera device 10 may optionally include a set 40 of storage modules.For example, and as illustrated, the set 40 of storage modules include avideo storage module 48 and a metadata storage module 56. The videostorage module 48 stores image data, which may be image data processedby the video management module 32. The metadata storage module 56 storesinformation data outputted from the video analytics module 24.

It will be understood that while video storage module 48 and metadatastorage module 56 are illustrated as separate modules, they may beimplemented within a same hardware storage device whereby logical rulesare implemented to separate stored video from stored metadata. In otherexample embodiments, the video storage module 48 and/or the metadatastorage module 56 may be implemented within a plurality of hardwarestorage devices in which a distributed storage scheme may beimplemented.

The storage modules 48, 56 provide non-transitory storage of image dataand/or metadata. In other example embodiments wherein storage modules48, 56 are not provided, image data generated by the camera module 16and metadata generated by the video analytics module 24 may beimmediately transmitted to an external device over a network.

The camera device 10 includes a networking module 64 operable forproviding data communication with another device over a network 72. Thenetwork 72 may be a local area network, an external network (e.g. WAN,Internet) or a combination thereof. In other examples, the network 72may include a cloud network.

The camera device 10 further includes a transceiver 80 operable forcommunicating wirelessly with another device. The wireless communicationmay be provided according to any protocol known in the art, such asBluetooth™, Wi-Fi™, ZigBee™ or cellular communication protocols.

In some examples, the transceiver 80 is a short-range, low-powertransceiver. A short-range, low-power transceiver may be useful forreducing power consumption of the external device with which the cameradevice 10 is communicating. For example, the transceiver 80 that isshort-range may have a communication range of less than about 10 m. Forexample, the transceiver 80 that is low-power may have a powerconsumption of less than about 0.5 Watts. A short-range, low-powertransceiver may implement a low-energy Bluetooth™ or low-energy Wi-Fi™protocol known in the art.

The camera device 10 further includes a wireless power transmitter 88that is operable for transmitting power wirelessly to an externalelectrical load. The external electrical load may be an energy storagedevice, such as at least one battery or capacitor. For example, powermay be transferred by magnetic fields in which one or more coils ofwires in the wireless power transmitter 88 is coupled by magneticinduction with a cooperating coil in the external device that is beingpowered by the wireless power. The inductive coupling between thewireless power transmitter 88 and a cooperating device receiving thepower may be resonant inductive coupling or electrodynamic induction. Itwill be understood that the wireless power transmission is not limitedto non-radiative techniques. In some examples, longer range techniquesmay be used, such as power beaming based on microwaves or lasers.

The camera device 10 further includes a power supply 96 operable forsupplying electrical power to the hardware components of the cameradevice 10, such as those implementing the camera module 16, transceiver80, networking module 64 and wireless power transmitter 88.

In some examples, the power supply 96 receives electrical power from apower source over a wired connection. The power source may be mainselectricity (ex: 110V/220V AC), which may be converted to a supplysuitable for the camera device 10 (ex: converting to DC, rectifying to alower voltage). In some alternative examples, the power source may be anintermediate device that supplies power in addition to performinganother function, such as processing or networking. In yet furtheralternative examples, the power supply may be supplying power in asustainable manner based on, for instance, solar power technology orpower received wirelessly from another device in communication with thecamera device 10.

In one example embodiment, power may be supplied to the power supply 96over a connection that is also providing data communication. Forexample, power may be supplied to the power supply 96 by power overethernet (POE), wherein the cable connected to the networking module 64for network data communication is also used for supplying power to thepower supply. As illustrated, the same cable 104 that is connected tothe network (e.g. connected to a network switch or router) is alsoconnected to the power supply 96.

The camera device 10 may further include a power management module 112that is operable for managing the supply of power from the power supply96 to various hardware components of the camera device 10. The powermanagement module 112 may manage the power being consumed by thewireless power transmitter 88 separately from management of power beingconsumed by other components of the camera device 10. The powermanagement module 112 may further control the priority of providingpower to various modules of the camera device 10. This prioritization inthe case of high power demand from various modules, which may otherwisecause system overload.

For example, a wireless power transmitter power management submodule maycontrol the power level of the wireless power transmitted from thewireless power transmitter 88. The power level may be varied accordingto characteristics of an external device receiving the wireless power.Such characteristics may include one or more of the distance of theexternal device from the camera device 10, the average power requirementof the external device, the instantaneous power requirement of theexternal device, and the current battery status of the external device.

The power level may also be varied according to environmental factors,such as time of day, location, and number of proximately locateddevices. For example, where the camera device 10 is used to for chargingthe external device, the wireless power transmitter power managementsubmodule may choose to transmit wireless power for charging duringoff-peak hours.

The power level may also be varied according to power load requirementsfrom other components of the camera device 10. For example, duringperiods when other components of the camera device 10 experience heavyload, the power management module 112 may supply less or no power to thewireless power transmitter. These periods may occur when the cameradevice 10 has to handle a large amounts of data, such as transferring orbacking up data stored within the storage module 40.

The example camera device 10 is suitable for use in conjunction with anexternal device that requires data communication with another deviceover a network and that would benefit from receiving wirelesslytransmitted power. The camera device 10 can provide network connectivityto the external device via data communication provided between thewireless transceiver 80 of the camera device 10 and a correspondingwireless transceiver of the external device. The network connectivity isfurther provided through the connection of the networking module 64 ofthe camera device 10 with the network 72. Accordingly, the externaldevice may be in communication another network node connected to thenetwork 72 only via the camera device 10 and without requiring some formof wired and/or wireless connection from the external device to thenetwork 72.

The camera device 10 can further provide a continued power source forthe external device via wireless power transmitter 88 transmitting powerto the external device. The external device may be battery-operated andthe power transmitted wirelessly from the camera device 10 may be usedto charge at least one battery of the external device. Accordingly, theexternal device may operate without having to receive power over a wiredpower cable. Furthermore, even where the external device may be fullybattery-operated, the providing of wireless power from the camera device10 to the external device to charge the battery of the external devicemay eliminate, or reduce the frequency, of having to change the battery.

In some example embodiments, the power output from the wireless powertransmitter 88 may be variably controlled. For example, the level ofpower output may be adjusted according to the power consumption of theexternal device receiving the wirelessly transmitted power. The level ofpower out may also be adjusted based on one or more parameters of thedeployment of the camera device 10 with the external device, such as thedistance therebetween. The power output from the wireless powertransmitter 88 may be adjusted so that the level of wireless powerreceived at the external device corresponds with a power requirement ofthe external device, such as an average power requirement of theexternal device. The power output may also be adjusted based on a changein power requirement of the external device. However, the power outputfrom the wireless power transmitter 88 may be throttled by the powermanagement module 112 to ensure continued proper functioning of thecamera device 10. In some example embodiments, the wireless powertransmitter 88 may implement trickle charging or slow charging of theexternal device.

In some example embodiments, the wireless power transmitter 88 may bechosen to provide at least 3 watts power to a power-receiving externaldevice located at a distance of at most 10 meters from the camera device10. For example, such a power output would effectively charge a depthsensor or typical PIR motion sensor.

In other example embodiments, the wireless power transmitter 88 may bechosen to provide substantially less power, such as about 0.2 mW ofpower at a distance of at most 10 meters from the camera device 10. Thislevel of power output is suitable for external devices that aretypically on standby, such as a smoke alarm.

Referring now to FIG. 2, therein illustrated is a block diagram of acombined system 200 according to one example embodiment having a cameradevice 10 and a sensing device 208.

The sensing device 208 includes a sensor 216 for sensing a condition. Insome example embodiments, the sensor 216 may be any one of anenvironmental sensor for sensing an environmental condition in proximityof the sensing device. For example, the sensor 216 may be one of athermometer, humidity sensor, air quality sensor, smoke detector,pressure sensor, microphone, water leak sensor, geiger counter, andseismic vibration sensor.

In some example, the sensor 216 may be operable to sense asecurity-related condition. In one example, the sensor 216 may be asmoke detector for detecting the presence of smoke or fire. In anotherexample, the sensor 216 may be an occupancy sensor (e.g. passiveinfra-red) for detecting the presence of an object. In yet anotherexample, the sensor 216 may be an intrusion sensor (e.g. magnetic reedswitches) for detecting intrusion into an area. Other examples ofsensors 216 for sensing a security-related condition may include one ormore of a door open sensor, gunshot detector, glass break sensor, motionsensor, smoke alarm and car alarm

The sensor 216 generates sensed data that contains informationpertaining to the sensed condition.

The sensing device 208 may include a storage module 224. The storagemodule 224 may be operatively connected with the sensor 216 to receivesensed data and store the sensed data. The storage 224 may also storeone or more sensing rules. The sensor 216 may implement sensing of thecondition differently based on applicable sensing rules. For example,the rules may cause the sensor 216 to cease sensing during given periodsof the day and carry out sensing at other periods of the day.

The sensing device 208 includes a transceiver 232 operable for providingdata communication with the camera device 10 via the transceiver 80. Thetransceiver 232 of the sensing device 208 may implement a wirelesscommunication protocol that is compatible with the communicationprotocol implemented by the transceiver 80 of the camera device 10. Forexample, the transceiver 232 may also be a short-range, low-powertransceiver.

Sensed data generated by the sensor 216 can be transmitted from thesensing device 208 using its transceiver 232 and received at the cameradevice 10 using its transceiver 80. The sensed data may be furthertransmitted to external network device 264 from the camera device 10over the network 72.

The sensing device 208 may further receive commands from the cameradevice 10. The commands may have been initially transmitted from theexternal network device 264 to the camera device 10 via the network 72and the networking module 210 of the camera 10. For example, thecommands may be for controlling the sensing device 208, such as commandsfor changing sensing rules applied to the sensing device 208.

The sensing device 208 further includes a wireless power receiver 240that is operable for receiving power transmitted wirelessly from thewireless power transmitter 88 of the camera device 10. The wirelesspower receiver 240 is configured to be compatible with the wirelesspower transmitter 88 of the camera device 10. For example, the wirelesspower receiver 240 includes one or more coil of wires in which a flow ofelectrical current is induced by the wireless power transmitted from thecamera device 10.

The sensing device 208 may further include at least one battery 248 orother suitable form of power storage device for supplying power to oneor more components of the sensing device 208. The at least one battery248 may supply power to the sensor 216, and the transceiver 232. The atleast one battery 248 is rechargeable using power transmitted wirelesslyfrom the camera device 10 and received by the wireless power receiver240.

The sensing device 208 may further include a battery management module256. The battery management module 256 operates to manage charging ofthe at least one battery 248 using the power received by the wirelesspower receiver 240.

In one example embodiment, the battery management module 256 may sensethe charge level of the at least one battery 248 and implements chargingof the battery 248 when the charge level falls below a predeterminedlevel.

In another example embodiment, the battery management module 256 mayimplement charging of the battery 248 any time wireless power isavailable from the wireless power receiver 240. The battery managementmodule 256 may be further operable to implement trickle charging or slowcharging of the battery 248.

In yet another example embodiment, the battery management module 256 maybe further operable to sense the battery charge level and to communicatethe charge level to the camera device 10 using the wireless transceiver232. The camera device 10 may be configured to transmit wireless poweronly when it receives an indication that the charge level of the atleast one battery 248 of the sensing device 208 has fallen below apredetermined level. Additionally, or alternatively, the batterymanagement module 256 may transmit, using the wireless transceiver 232,a request to the camera device 10 to begin wireless transmission ofpower to the sensing device so that the power can be used for chargingthe at least one battery.

Continuing with FIG. 2, the camera device 10 is operable to transmitover the network 72 image data and sensed data received from the sensingdevice 208. Accordingly, the camera device 10 acts as a gateway to thenetwork 72 for the sensing device 208. The camera device 10 may transmitthe image data and the sensed data to their respective destinations overthe network 72.

In various example embodiments, the camera device 10 may be configuredto transmit image data and the sensed data received from the sensingdevice 208 to the same destination networked device 264 over the network72. For example, the destination networked device 264 may be a serverthat processes or manages the image data and/or the sensed data. Whenbeing transmitted to the same destination networked device, image datathat is captured by the camera module 16 at a given time is logicallyassociated with sensed data pertaining to one or more conditions sensedby the sensor 216 at the same time. “Logically associated” herein refersto an association in which knowledge of the relevant image data allowsretrieval of its logically associated sensed data and vice versa. Forexample, the image data and its corresponding data may both include atime stamp, which provides the logical association.

According to various example embodiments wherein the camera device 10 isused in a video surveillance application to visually monitor an area orasset, the condition sensed by the sensing device 208 may provideinformation about the area or asset, which may provide enhancedmonitoring. For example, the sensed condition may be used to confirm orprovide further information regarding an event that is captured by thecamera device 10. This information may be also be used to confirm orimprove certainty of a determination made by the video analytics module24.

In some example embodiments, the video analytics module 24 may determineproperties or characteristics of the captured image or video and/or ofobjects found in the scene represented by the image or video based on acombination of analysis of the image data and one or more relevantconditions sensed by the sensing device 208. Relevant conditions sensedby the sensing device 208 may be conditions sensed during a time periodcorresponding to the time period of the image data being analyzed.

According to various example applications, the sensing device 208 islocated in proximity of the camera device 10, such as within the samephysical area. For example, the sensing device 208 may be located suchthat conditions sensed by the sensing device 208 are relevant to theimage data captured by the camera device 10. Accordingly, the senseddata may serve to enhance the monitoring performed using the cameradevice 10. It will be appreciated that the proximity of the cameradevice 10 with the sensing device 208 allows for effective wirelesstransmission of power from camera device 10 to the sensing device 208and for effective wireless data communication between the camera device10 and the sensing device 208. This allows the sensing device 208 tooperate fully wirelessly (i.e. without requiring a wired connection fordata communication with an external device and for receiving power). Itwill be further appreciated that even in other examples where thesensing device 208 generates sensed data that is not pertinent to theimage data captured by the camera device 10, the interaction between thecamera device 10 and the sensing device 10 allows the sensing device 208to operate fully wirelessly.

Referring now to FIG. 3, therein illustrated is a block diagram of acombined video surveillance and access control system 300 according toone example embodiment. It will be understood that the combined videosurveillance and access control system 300 is an example of the combinedsystem 200 in which the sensing device 208 is an access control device308.

Access control herein refers to management of physical access to aprotected asset. In one example, the protected asset may be an accesspoint (e.g. door, gate) to a physical area (e.g. building, room).Accordingly, the access control device 308 controls allowing ordisallowing access to the physical area, such as by selectively lockingor unlocking a door or gate.

In another example, the protected asset may be a locked item, such as asafe, vehicle, or computer with physical security device. Accordingly,the access control device 308 controls permitting access to contents ofthe locked item, such as by selectively locking or unlocking a safedoor, car door, or allowing access to the computer.

Continuing with FIG. 3, the access control device 308 includes a tokenreader 316, which acts as the sensor of the access control device 308.The token reader 316 is operable to sense the occurrence of the presenceof a machine readable physical token and to read an identifier of thephysical token. The identifier may be a feature of the physical token ora code stored on the physical token that identifies the physical token.The identifier of a physical token may uniquely identify that physicaltoken.

In one example, the physical token may be a discrete portable object,such as a RFID card or fob, RFID-enabled device, magnetic card, etc. Thediscrete portable object may have stored thereon an identification codethat identifies the object. The discrete portable object may be carriedby a person and presented to the access control device 308 foridentifying that person. The token reader 316 of the access controldevice 308 detects when the discrete portable object is presented by theperson, which results in the sensing of an occurrence of a presence ofthe physical token. The token reader 316 of the access control device308 further reads the identification code stored on the discreteportable object.

In another example, the physical token may be a biometric token of aperson. Accordingly, features of biometric token also acts as theidentifier. The biometric token may be one of a face, palm print,fingerprint, hand geometry, iris, voice, etc. The token reader 316 ofthe access control device 308 detects when the person presents theirrelevant biometric token to the token reader 316, which results in thesensing of an occurrence of a presence of the physical token. The tokenreader 316 further recognizes properties of the biometric feature, whichacts as the identifier of that biometric token and of the person to whomthe biometric token belongs.

The access control device 308 further includes a token verificationmodule 324. The token verification module 324 verifies whether anidentity associated with the identifier of a physical token has beengranted access to the asset being protected. If the identity has beenauthenticated, the access control device 308 acts to grant access. Ifthe identity has not been authenticated, the access control device 308acts to deny access.

For example, and as illustrated, the access control device 308 includesa storage device 224 in which are stored access credentials 352. Thestored access credentials may include user identities each correspondingto a real-world users. The stored access credentials may further includetoken identifiers. A user identity may be associated to one or moretoken identifiers. The stored access credentials may further includeaccess rules. Each token identifier and/or user identity may be furtherassociated to a set of access rules. The access rules define theparameters by which a token identifier or a user identity is grantedaccess to a given asset. For example, the access rules may define thetime periods during which a particular token identifier or user identityis granted access to a particular asset.

The token verification module 324 receives the identifier read by thetoken reader 316 from a physical token that is presented and verifieswhether the access rules associated to that identifier or the useridentity associated to that identifier grants access to that identifier.The identity associated to the identifier is authenticated if theassociated rules grant access. The identity associated to the identifieris not authenticated if the token verification module 324 fails to findrules that grant access to the particular identifier.

The access control device 308 further includes a lock controller 340,which is operable to selectively control actuation of a lock between alocked state and an unlocked state. In the locked state, the lockprevents access to the protected asset. In the unlocked state, the lockis in a position where access to the protected asset is granted. Forexample, the lock is a physical lock that physically blocks or grantsaccess to the protected asset.

The lock controller 340 may receive an authenticated signal from thetoken verification module 324 each time that a token identifier read bythe token reader is authenticated. In response to receiving anauthentication signal, the lock controller 340 controls a lock actuator348 to actuate a physical lock (not illustrated) to an unlockedposition. After the lock is actuated to the unlocked position, the lockactuator 348 may further control the lock actuator 348 to furtheractuate the physical lock to the locked position after some time haspassed or an event has occurred (ex: the access door being closed.)

In the illustrated example, the lock actuator 348 is integrated in theaccess control device 308. The lock controller 340 and the lock actuator348 may be combined into an integrated component.

In other examples, the lock actuator 348 may be external to the accesscontrol device 308. This configuration may be useful because the accesscontrol device 308 may then be used with a variety of different locksand their corresponding lock actuator 348 by sending an appropriatecontrol signal (lock/unlock) from the lock controller 340 of the accesscontrol device 308 to the external lock actuator 348.

Continuing with FIG. 3, token reader 316 and the token verificationmodule 324 may operate together to generated access data pertaining topresence of physical token and identifier of the physical token read bythe token reader 316 and the verification of token identifier by the324. The access data may be stored as stored access data 356 within thestorage device 224.

The access control device 308 includes the wireless transceiver 232 thatis operable for providing data communication with the camera device 10via the transceiver 80. Access data generated by the token reader 316and the token verification module 324 may be transmitted via thewireless power transceiver 232 to the camera device 10. The cameradevice 10 may also transmit to the access device 308, from wirelesstransceiver 80 to wireless transceiver 232, commands for configuring theaccess control device 308. For example, the commands may include one ormore updates to the access rules applied for authenticating by the tokenverification module 324 token identifiers read by the token reader 316.The one or more updates may include addition or removal of useridentities and/or token identifiers that are granted access to theprotected asset or changes to access rules associated to one or moreuser identities and/or token identifiers.

The access device 208 also includes a wireless power receiver 240, atleast one battery 248 and a battery management module 256. Thedescription provided elsewhere herein regarding the wireless powerreceiver 240, at least one battery 248 and battery management module 256of the sensing device 208 is also applicable to the wireless powerreceiver 240, at least one battery 248 and battery management module 256of the access control device 308.

The camera device 10 is operable to transmit over the network 72 imagedata generated by the video capture module 208 and access data receivedfrom the access control device 308. Accordingly, the camera device 10acts as a gateway to the network 72 for the access control device 308.The camera device 10 may transmit the image data and the access data totheir respective destinations over the network 72.

In various example embodiments, the camera device 10 may be configuredto transmit image data and the access data received from the accesscontrol device 208 to the same destination networked device 264 over thenetwork 72. For example, the destination networked device 264 may be aserver that processes or manages the image data and/or the access data.When being transmitted to the same destination networked device, imagedata that is captured by the camera module 16 at a given time islogically associated with access data generated at the same time. Forexample, the image data and its corresponding access data may bothinclude a time stamp, which provides the logical association.

According to various example embodiments, the camera device 10 may beused in a video surveillance application to visually monitor an area orasset and the access control device 308 may be used in an access controlapplication to grant, track and monitor access of users to protectedassets. In these examples, the access data from the access controldevice 308 may be used to enhance the surveillance application. Forexample, where the camera device 10 detects a person in a monitoredarea, access data from a nearby access control device 308 may beanalyzed to determine the physical token used by that person to enterthe monitored area. Conversely, where the access control device 308reads a physical token that is assigned to a particular person, imagedata from the camera device 10 may be analyzed to verify whether theperson using the physical token is actually the assigned person orwhether it is being used by someone else that may be an intruder. Insome examples, the video surveillance application and the access controlmanagement application may be combined and both the image data andaccess data are used together. For example, the destination networkdevice 264 may perform at least part of the combined application.

In some example embodiments, the video analytics module 24 may determineproperties or characteristics of the captured image or video and/orobjects found in the scene based on a combination of analysis of imagedata and access data received from the access control device 308.Relevant access data may be data generated during a time periodcorresponding to the time period of the image data being analyzed. Forexample, the access data may be used to confirm or improve certainty ofa determination made by the video analytics module 24.

According to various example applications, the camera device 10 and theaccess control device 308 are deployed together such that the protectedasset to which access is being controlled by the access control device308 is located within scene being captured within the field of view of agiven camera device 10. Accordingly, the access data may serve toenhance the monitoring performed by the camera device 10. Conversely,image data generated by the camera device 10 may serve to enhance accesscontrol being performed by the access control device 308.

It was observed that a camera device 10 and an access control device 308are often deployed in proximity of one another. It was further observedthat the power requirements of an access control device 308 aresufficiently low that it can be battery powered. Furthermore, the amountof data that need to be processed by the access control device 308 aresignificantly lowered than the processing carried out by the cameradevice 10, thereby making the power requirements of the access controldevice 308 to be significantly lower than the power requirements of thecamera device 10. The proximity of the camera device 10 with the accesscontrol device 308 and the lower power requirements of the accesscontrol device 308 allow for the access control device 308 to beeffectively powered by the power received wirelessly from the cameradevice 10.

It was further observed that the amount of access data generated by theaccess control device 308 is significantly low to allow it to betransmitted wirelessly to another device. For example, the amount ofaccess data is significantly lower than the amount image data generatedby the camera device 10. The low amount of access data allows foreffective wireless data communication between the camera device 10 andthe access control device 308. The low amount of access data may alsoallow a low-power, short range communication protocol to be used whileensuring effective communication between the camera device 10 and theaccess control device 308. Accordingly, the access control device 308may operate fully wirelessly (i.e. without requiring a wired connectionfor data communication with an external device and for receiving power).

The access control device 308 may have a form factor that is similar toexisting access control devices. For example, the access control device308 may have the form of a door reader/controller that is placed inproximity of a doorway. Alternatively, the access control device 308 mayhave the form of a wireless lock that is attached directly to a door.

Referring now to FIG. 4A, therein illustrated is a block diagram of acamera device 10′ according to an alternative example embodiment. Thealternative camera device 10′ includes the same operational module asthe camera device 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 and the description providedherein regarding these modules are also applicable to the alternativecamera device 10′. The alternative camera device 10′ is different inthat it includes a plurality wireless power transmitters 88. In theillustrated example, the alternative camera device 10′ includes nwireless power transmitters 88. Power supplied to each of the pluralityof power transmitters 88 may be controlled by the power managementmodule 112.

The plurality of power transmitters may each be used to power differentsets of one or more sensing devices 208 and/or access control devices308. For example, the sensing devices 208 and/or access control devices308 may be sparsely located such that a single power transmitter 88cannot effectively provide power to all of the sensing devices 208. Thewireless transceiver 80 of the alternative camera device 10′ may be usedfor simultaneous data communication with a plurality of sensing devices208 and/or access control devices 308 to which the alternative cameradevice 10′ is transmitting power. For example, an appropriatemultiplexing scheme may be used to maintain data communication with eachof the plurality of sensing devices and/or access control devices 308.

In one example embodiment, at least one of the wireless powertransmitters 88 of the alternative camera device 10′ is pivotable so asto change an orientation of the wireless power transmitters 88. Forexample, a wireless power transmitter 88 may be pivoted to besufficiently aligned with an external sensing device 208 or accesscontrol device 308 so as to effectively transmit power to that externaldevice.

Referring now to FIG. 4B, there illustrated is a schematic diagram of anexample deployment 380 of an alternative camera device 10′ according toone example embodiment. An example alternative camera device 10′ havinga circular form factor is provided. The example alternative cameradevice 10′ is a multi-transmitter camera and includes three wirelesspower transmitters 88. Three sensing devices 208 (or access controldevices 308) are located around the camera device 10′. Each of thewireless power transmitters 88 are aligned with the location of asensing device 208 so as to provide wireless power to that sensingdevice 208.

According to various example embodiments, one or more of the wirelesspower transmitters 88 are angularly pivotable so as to be radiallyaligned with the location of a sensing device 208.

Referring now to FIG. 5, therein illustrated is a block diagram ofconnected devices of a combined video surveillance and access controlsystem 400 according to one example embodiment.

The combined system 400 includes at least one camera device. In theexample illustrated FIG. 4, a first camera device 10 a, a second cameradevice 10 b, and a third camera device 10 c are each connected to thenetwork 72. Image data and/or metadata generated by the camera devices10 a, 10 b, and 10 c are transmitted to other network-connected devicesover the network 72.

In the illustrated example, the third camera device 10 c is connected tothe network 72 through a processing appliance 404. The processingappliance 404 is operable to process the image data outputted by thethird camera device 10 c. The processing appliance 404 includes one ormore processors and one or more memory devices coupled to the processor.The processing appliance 404 may also include one or more networkinterfaces.

The first camera device 10 a is in data communication with a firstsensing device 208 a using their respective wireless transceivers 80,232. Sensed data generated by the sensing device 208 a is transmittedover the network 72 via the first camera device 10 a. The first cameradevice 10 a further transmits power wirelessly from its wireless powertransmitter 88. The transmitted power is received at the sensing device240 of the first sensing device 208 a, which may be used to charge itsone or more batteries or energy storage devices.

The second camera device 10 b is in data communication with a firstaccess control device 308 a and a second sensing device 208 b. It willbe understood that although two antennas are illustrated, a singlewireless transceiver 80 in the second camera device 10 b may besimultaneously in data communication with the first access controldevice 308 a and the second sensing device 20 b. For example, anyappropriate multiplexing scheme may be used to maintain datacommunication with the access control device 308 a and the secondsensing device 20 b. Access data generated by the first access controldevice 308 a and sensed data generated by the second sensing device 208b is transmitted over the network 72 via the second camera device 10 b.

In one example embodiment, a single wireless power transmitter transmitspower wirelessly to both the first access control device 308 a and thesecond sensing device 208 b.

In another example embodiment, the second camera device 10 b ismulti-transmitter device, as described herein with reference to FIG. 4A,and includes a first wireless power transmitter 88 a and a secondwireless power transmitter 88 b. The first wireless power transmitter 88a is configured to transmit wireless power to be received by the firstaccess control device and the second wireless power transmitter 88 b isconfigured to transmit wireless power to be received by the secondaccess control device 208 b.

The third camera device 10 c is not transmitting wireless power. Thethird camera device 10 c may be a standard IP camera that does not havewireless power transmission capabilities.

The system 400 may further includes a second access control device 308b, which is in direct connection with the network 72. For example, thesecond access control device 308 b may be connected to the network 72using a standard network connection, such as ethernet. Similarly, thesystem 400 may further include a third sensing device 208 c which is indirect connection with the network 72.

The combined system 400 includes at least one workstation 408 (e.g.server), each having one or more processors. The at least oneworkstation 408 may also include storage memory. The workstation 408receives image data from at least one camera device 10 and performsprocessing of the image data. The workstation 408 may further sendcommands for managing and/or controlling one or more of the cameradevices 10. The workstation 408 may receive raw image data from thecamera device 10. Alternatively, or additionally, the workstation 408may receive image data that has already undergone some intermediateprocessing, such as processing at the camera device 10 and/or at aprocessing appliance 404. The workstation 408 may also receive metadatafrom the image data and perform further processing of the image data.

The workstation 408 may also perform management of the one or moreaccess control devices 308. For example, the workstation 408 may collectaccess data from a plurality of access control devices 308 and monitoruse of physical token to gain access to a plurality of protected assets.The workstation 408 may also manage access rules for a plurality of useridentities and token identifiers.

According to some example embodiments, the workstation 408 may performvideo surveillance and access control management in combination.

The video capture and playback system 400 further includes at least oneclient device 164 connected to the network 72. The client device 164 isused by one or more users to interact with the combined system 400.Accordingly, the client device 164 includes at least one display deviceand at least one user input device (for example, mouse, keyboard,touchscreen, joy stick, microphone, gesture recognition device, etc.).The client device 164 is operable to display on its display device auser interface for displaying information, receiving user input, andplaying back image. The client device 164 may also be operable todisplay access control information and receive user input for changingaccess rules. For example, the client device may be any one of apersonal computer, laptops, tablet, personal data assistant (PDA), cellphone, smart phone, gaming device, and other mobile and/or wearabledevices.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the wireless power transmitter 88 transmitswireless power over an effective powered space. The effective poweredspace refers to the space in which a wireless power receiver 240 may belocated and effectively receive the wirelessly transmitted power. Awireless power receiver 240 may be considered to be effectivelyreceiving wireless power if the power at the receiver 240 exceeds apredetermined power threshold. Alternatively, a wireless power receiver240 may be considered to be effectively receiving wireless power if thepower at the receiver 240 induces a current in the receiver 240 thatexceeds a predetermined current threshold.

According to various example embodiments, the field of view of thecamera device 10 substantially overlaps with the effectively poweredspace of the wireless power transmitter 88. The field of view of thecamera device 10 may be fully encompassed within the effectively poweredspace of wireless power transmitter 88. The field of view of the cameradevice 10 may be fully encompassed in that the effectively powered spaceoccupies a larger space than the field of view. However, it will beunderstood that the field of view of the camera device 10 may extendpast the outer limit of the effectively powered space based on adistance from the camera device 10.

By ensuring that the field of view of the camera device 10 is fullyencompassed within the effectively powered space of the wireless powertransmitter 88, any object that falls within the field of view will alsobe within effectively powered space of the wireless power transmitter 88and can receive wireless power therefrom (so long as the distance of theobject does not exceed the outer limit of the operational space). Thismay facilitate installation of a sensed device 208 or access controldevice 308 in that the installer only needs to place the sensed device208 or access control device 308 within the field of view of the cameradevice 10 to ensure that the device 208 or 308 will be properlyreceiving wireless power from the camera device.

According to various example embodiments wherein the optical unit of thecamera device 10 is pivotable to change the field of view of the cameradevice 10, the wireless power transmitter 88 is configured to maintainthe overlap of the field of view with the operational space. Thewireless power transmitter 88 may be configured to maintain the field ofview being fully encompassed with the effectively powered space over therange of pivotable motion of the optical unit of the camera. Examples ofcameras with a pivotable optical unit include a dome camera and apan-tilt-zoom camera.

In one example embodiment, the wireless power transmitter 88 transmitspower directionally. Accordingly, the operational space of the wirelesspower transmitter is defined by an effective power coverage cone. Thewireless power transmitter 88 and the optical unit of the camera module16 may be substantially aligned so that the field of view of the cameradevice 10 overlaps with the power coverage cone. The alignment may besuch that the field of view of the camera device is fully encompassedwithin the power coverage cone.

Referring now to FIG. 6, therein illustrated is a schematic diagram ofan example deployment 500 of a camera device 10 and an access controldevice 308. The camera device 10 has a field of view 508, which may besubstantially conical. In the illustrated example, the field of view 508is defined by its upper boundary 512 and lower boundary 516. Thewireless power transmitter 88 transmits power directionally over a powercoverage cone 520 that is defined by its upper boundary 524, lowerboundary 528 and outer limit 532. It will be appreciated that the fieldof view 508 is fully encompassed within the power coverage cone 520 (butfor a space close to the optical unit of the camera device 10 and aspace outside of the outer limit 532).

The camera device 10 is oriented so as to capture a doorway 530, whichis the protected asset. The access control device 308 is locatedproximate to the doorway 530 and controls the locking and unlocking ofthe door of the doorway 530. The access control device 308 is locatedwithin the field of view 508 of the camera and within the outer limit532. Since the field of view 508 is fully encompassed within the powercoverage cone 520, the access control device 308 is located within theoperational space of the wireless power transmitter 88 of the cameradevice 10 and can receive power therefrom.

While the above description provides examples of the embodiments, itwill be appreciated that some features and/or functions of the describedembodiments are susceptible to modification without departing from thespirit and principles of operation of the described embodiments.Accordingly, what has been described above has been intended to beillustrated non-limiting and it will be understood by persons skilled inthe art that other variants and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention as defined in the claimsappended hereto.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: generating image data with respect to a captured scene corresponding to a field of view of a camera; transmitting wireless power from a wireless power transmitter of the camera to a battery-powered external sensing device; receiving, at the camera, sensed data from the external sensing device that is pertaining to at least one condition sensed therefrom; transmitting the image data and data pertaining to the at least one sensed condition to an external networked device; and receiving power at the camera, over a wired connection, and wherein an effective powered space of the wireless power transmitter of the camera substantially overlaps with the field of view of the camera.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein data transmission between the camera and the external networked device is over the wired connection.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the image data generated at a given time is logically associated to respective sensed data generated by the external sensing device at least substantially the same time.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: performing video analytics on the image data; and determining an occurrence of a video analytics event based on a combination of two or more results of the performed video analytics and the sensed data.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, at the camera, information pertaining to a battery status of the external sensing device.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the wireless power transmitter operates to adjust the transmission of wireless power to the external sensing device based on the received information pertaining to the battery status.
 7. A method comprising: generating image data with respect to a captured scene corresponding to a field of view of a camera; transmitting wireless power from a wireless power transmitter of the camera to a battery-powered external sensing device, and wherein the transmitted wireless power has a power coverage cone in which a respective space coverage is defined in part by an orientation of the wireless power transmitter; receiving, at the camera, sensed data from the external sensing device that is pertaining to at least one condition sensed therefrom; transmitting the image data and data pertaining to the at least one sensed condition to an external networked device; receiving power at the camera, over a wired connection; and changing the orientation of the wireless power transmitter so as to change a first space covered by the power coverage cone to a second different space.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein data transmission between the camera and the external networked device is over the wired connection.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the image data generated at a given time is logically associated to respective sensed data generated by the external sensing device at least substantially the same time.
 10. The method of claim 7, further comprising: performing video analytics on the image data; and determining an occurrence of a video analytics event based on a combination of two or more results of the performed video analytics and the sensed data.
 11. The method of claim 7, further comprising receiving, at the camera, information pertaining to a battery status of the external sensing device.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the wireless power transmitter operates to adjust the transmission of wireless power to the external sensing device based on the received information pertaining to the battery status.
 13. A method comprising: generating image data with respect to a captured scene corresponding to a field of view of a camera; transmitting the image data to an external networked device that is a part of a same system as the camera; transmitting wireless power from a wireless power transmitter of the camera to a battery-powered external device, the battery-powered external device being located apart from the camera but within an effective powered space of the wireless power transmitter; receiving power at the camera, over a wired connection, and wherein the effective powered space of the wireless power transmitter of the camera substantially overlaps with the field of view of the camera.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the system is a combined video surveillance and access control system.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein data transmission between the camera and the external networked device is over the wired connection.
 16. The method of claim 13, further comprising: performing video analytics on the image data; and determining an occurrence of a video analytics event based at least in part on results of the performed video analytics.
 17. The method of claim 13, further comprising receiving, at the camera, information pertaining to a battery status of the battery-powered external device.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the wireless power transmitter operates to adjust the transmission of wireless power to the battery-powered external device based on the received information pertaining to the battery status. 